San Francisco, Calif. (October 15, 2018) — On Saturday, October 13, more than 730 committed environmentalists gathered in a redwoods-inspired tent in San Francisco’s Union Square to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Save the Redwoods League, the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and stewarding the iconic coast redwood and giant sequoia forests of California throughout their range. The event and its after-party raised over $1.9 million to support the League’s redwood education and parks support programs, which will serve 18,000 students this year and millions of park visitors with improved access and amenities within the parks.

CBS News correspondent Lee Cowan hosted the evening, which included a concert performance by Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Friends, with special guest John Mayer, at the nearby August Hall, followed by an after-party with DJ ZEBUEL. Bay Area residents, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart are original members of the legendary rock band The Grateful Dead.

“As much as it’s our mission to protect and restore redwood forests for their global significance, it’s equally our responsibility to connect people with California’s world-renowned redwood parks,” said League president and CEO Sam Hodder. “Hosting this gala was a first for us, and thanks to the enormous generosity of our supporters, we marked our centennial with renewed capacity to bring thousands of students from all over California into the redwood parks and enhance the visitor experiences for everyone who ventures into our state parks.”

The festivities began with a magical outdoor cocktail reception that featured the talents of master illusionist JB Benn, followed by an elegant conifer-inspired dinner for 730 guests prepared by McCalls Catering & Events under a redwoods-inspired tent designed by Stanlee Gatti. A live auction featuring one-of-a-kind redwood adventures inspired great enthusiasm from gala patrons.

Centennial Vision of Save the Redwoods League:
Save the Redwoods League envisions vibrant redwood forests of the scale and grandeur that once graced the California coast and Sierra Nevada, protected forever, restored to grow old again, and connected to people through a network of magnificent parks and protected areas that inspire all of us with the beauty and power of nature.

About the League’s Education and Parks Support Programs:
California’s state parks shelter 60 percent of the world’s remaining old-growth redwood forests, but they have also experienced declining funding over the past two decades despite an increased demand for services. The League’s Parks Support Program transforms visitor experiences through improved access and interpretation and protects the redwoods and other natural resources within the parks. The League’s Education Program connects new generations to redwood forests by providing free field trips and education materials, teaching students about the importance of redwoods and what we all can do to protect them. For more information about these programs visit: SaveTheRedwoods.org/what-we-do.

MEDIA, PLEASE NOTE:
To request an interview or for hi-res event images and video, please contact Ashley Boarman at redwoods@landispr.com.

About Save the Redwoods League
Save the Redwoods League, one of the nation’s oldest conservation organizations, is
connecting generations of visitors with their peace and beauty. With more than 20,000 supporters, the League has protected more than 200,000 acres of irreplaceable forest and helped create 66 redwood parks and reserves. For more information, go to SaveTheRedwoods.org, or to sign up for updates, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org/signup.

Save the Redwoods League, the National Park Service and California State Parks today announced the kickoff of Redwoods Rising, a collaborative effort to restore the historically logged redwood forest within Redwood National and State Parks.